Investigating the Common Myths Leading Parents to Enroll Their Children in Early Sport Specialization

An estimated 60 million children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18 participate in some form of organized athletics in the United States. Unfortunately, the youth sport landscape has changed such that organizations and coaches inform parents and athletes that early sport specialization (ESS) is an essential requirement for elite performance. Despite evidence that opposes this limited track, parents continue to overlook the potential negative consequences. Although the media commonly portrays ESS as the only pathway to success, research of Olympians and elite athletes in team sports indicates otherwise. To date, there has been ongoing research that examines the outcomes of ESS on athletes, but a large portion focuses solely on athlete burnout and injuries from specializing too early. On the contrary, there has been less attention toward the influences and interactions of programs and coaches on and with parents, who greatly influence their child's sporting experience. Parents place trust in programs and coaches but are often misled by common myths. This article summarizes the common myths that lead parents to enroll their children in ESS. By having awareness of these three common myths, parents can become better informed on the perceived requirement of ESS for elite performance in youth sport.